The Awakening Essay | The Awakening

The Awakening

Summary: Discusses the novel The Awakening, by Kate Chopin. Explores the relationship between Edna and Mr. Pontellier. Describes the evolution of Edna's character as she awakens to her independence.

The novel The Awakening by Kate Chopin takes place in the early 1920's on the Grand Isles of Louisiana. The Grand Isles is a resort for the wealthy. The theme of this novel is about a woman named Edna who awakens to a new life as she discovers her independence. In the novel Edna also "awakens" to her love for Robert Leburn and most importantly she awakens to the knowledge that her husband is not in control of her life. Edna and Mr. Pontellier's relationship begins to get worse after he leaves for his business trip to New York. There are two stages of Edna and Mr. Pontellier's relationship, one of which is before Mr. Pontellier's trip to New York and the other is after he leaves.

During the 1920's it was expected of the women to "render home happiness, to show interest in her husband's concerns," and...